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Fix Excel Freezing When Printing After an Office Update
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Excel becomes completely unresponsive when trying to print a document after installing a recent software update.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to print an Excel spreadsheet after updating Microsoft Office to version 16.0.17726.20078.
- Observed behavior
- Excel freezes entirely when the mouse pointer moves over the printer icon, preventing the user from printing any documents.
Ensure you have saved all your work in other open applications, as you will need to restart your computer during this troubleshooting process.
Perform a Quick Repair of Microsoft Office
Use this recommended solution to fix corrupted Office application files that cause Excel to freeze when communicating with printer services.
A recent Office update may have introduced a bug or corrupted the files responsible for loading the print preview. Running a built-in Quick Repair can resolve these glitches without deleting your files.
Reboot your PC and wait a few minutes after the desktop appears to allow Windows and the print spooler services to load completely.
Click the Start menu, type 'Apps and Features' (or 'Installed apps' in Windows 11), and press Enter to open the Windows Settings page.
Scroll down the list of installed applications to find 'Microsoft Office'. Click on it (or the three-dot menu icon next to it) and select 'Modify'.
Select the 'Quick Repair' option from the prompt and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions until the process is complete.
Open Microsoft Excel, navigate to File > Print, and check if the application no longer freezes when hovering over the print icon.
Verify Printer Installation and Restart Print Server
Use this solution if repairing Office does not work, as missing printers or hung print servers can cause Excel to freeze while searching for devices.
Use WPS Office to Print Your Spreadsheets Without Freezing
If Microsoft Excel continues to freeze due to buggy system updates, switch to WPS Office. It is a free, highly efficient alternative that easily handles Microsoft Excel files without the frustrating crashes, allowing you to edit and print your work seamlessly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open your spreadsheet: Right-click your existing .xlsx file and choose to open it with WPS Spreadsheets.
- 3. Print without freezing: Click the Print icon or press Ctrl + P to safely print your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel freeze exactly when I hover over the print icon?
When you hover over or click the print icon, Excel attempts to communicate with the Windows Print Spooler service to retrieve printer data and load a print preview. If a recent Office update has corrupted this communication process, or if the print server is unresponsive, the application hangs.
Will running Quick Repair delete my saved Excel files?
No. Running a Quick Repair from the Windows settings only checks and replaces corrupted or missing Microsoft Office application files. Your personal spreadsheets and settings will remain completely intact.
What should I do if Quick Repair doesn't fix the printing freeze?
If Quick Repair fails, you can try the 'Online Repair' option located in the same Modify menu, which performs a more comprehensive reinstallation. You should also verify that your printer drivers are fully up to date.
